Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abeattends a debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo July 3, 2019.
TOKYO: It is too early to talk about the next political era after Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe because his term runs until next year, a top spokesman said today, amid worries about Abe’s ability to continue as premier after two hospital visits.
Abe has been to hospital twice in the last two weeks, including one visit of 7½ hours. He has not detailed what the visits were for, instead saying he wanted to take care of his health and do his utmost at his job.
Abe plans to hold a news conference on Friday, several sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. He is expected to provide an explanation about his health and talk about the government’s handling of the coronavirus, local media said.
“It’s premature to talk about ‘post-Abe’ as he still has over a year left in his term,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, seen as one of major contenders for Abe’s job should he resign, told a regular news conference.
Abe’s close ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) ally, Akira Amari, sought to dispel qualms over Abe’s health yesterday, telling Reuters he looked better than in mid-August and would likely fulfil his tenure until September next year.
His remarks were echoed today by the Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura who said Abe looked a “bit tired” over the last two weeks, but seemed “very well” yesterday and “gave us various instructions in the usual manner.”
“We want him to continue to look after his health and show us his leadership,” Kyodo news quoted Nishimura as saying during a parliamentary committee meeting.
Abe, the country’s longest serving prime minister, has been in the role since 2012. He resigned abruptly from an earlier term in 2007 because of struggles with ulcerative colitis, a disease he has kept in check with medicine that was not previously available.
Criticised for his handling of the coronavirus outbreak and some scandals, Abe has suffered a slide in voter support to one of the lowest levels since returning to office with promises to revive the economy and bolster defence.
